Failure of conjunctive water use

Water supply to Ho, the capital of the Volta Region of Ghana, with current population of 70,000, went through some crises during the period 1950-1993. Initially the water supply was based exclusively on groundwater sources. Later conjunctive water use, which is defined as the coordinated combined creative exploitation of groundwater and surface water, in order to minimize the dislocation produced by nature’s inconsistent rainfall patterns, (Lehr et. al., 1985) was tried but failed, due to lack of detailed planning and the misapplication of water management techniques. A number of reports and plans prepared by consultants, to find solutions to the problem of permanent rationing of water, have been reviewed and analysis has been made of the causes of failures. Lessons learnt have also been highlighted.